The Moon is gradually shrinking in size: over the past few hundred million years, its diameter has decreased by approximately 50 meters due to the cooling of its internal layers. The reason for this process was explained by Evgeny Burmistrov, an astronomy expert from Perm National Research Polytechnic University.

Scientists believe that at the time of its formation about 4.5 billion years ago, the Moon was significantly hotter, and its internal regions gradually lost heat. As it cooled, the material inside the satellite contracted, leading to a decrease in its volume.

Unlike Earth, the Moon does not have moving tectonic plates capable of redistributing stress in the crust. Therefore, as it contracts, the satellite's surface does not gradually rearrange but becomes covered with cracks and folded structures.

This process is accompanied by moonquakes, which can last much longer than terrestrial earthquakes. According to experts, the strength of such phenomena can reach a magnitude of about 5.5 – on Earth, similar tremors could cause noticeable movement of light objects and rattling windows.

However, the decrease in the Moon's size does not change its mass, so the satellite's gravitational effect on Earth remains the same. The main risk of contraction is not related to our planet, but to future expeditions: internal activity could pose an additional threat to lunar stations, equipment, and spacecraft.